|
Last week, FEMA announced that all COVID-19 incident periods will close on May 11. This follows the Biden-Harris Administration’s determination regarding the end of the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency declarations.
FEMA published a Federal Register Notice providing a 90-day advance notice to government partners and stakeholders that eligibility of work and reimbursable costs will end on May 11.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA has provided more than $104 billion in assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, as well as non-profits and survivors. Of those funds, almost $60 billion in funding went to a number of state, local, tribal and territorial governments and eligible private non-profits for more than 23,000 emergency projects. Another $2.9 billion was awarded in funeral assistance for more than 400,000 individuals and families, $37 billion in lost wages assistance and $386 million in crisis counseling services.
FEMA also supported an unprecedented vaccination effort, opening pilot community vaccination clinics to help advance equity and ensure that the most vulnerable communities were protected, resulting in 58% of the people served being people of color. Additionally, to ensure that the most vulnerable communities were protected, FEMA brought in language specialists and disability and civil rights advisors and worked with each community to identify its specific needs and to help it overcome barriers.
The COVID-19 disaster declarations are the longest in FEMA’s history.
FEMA will arrange programmatic briefings, share webinars and make experts available for all stakeholders impacted by the closure. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) became the 14th member of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. DHS is the first new member in almost two decades.
The program coordinates federal research and investments in understanding the forces shaping the global environment, both human and natural, and their impacts on society.
DHS brings important insights and perspectives to the program, including its experience in preparing our nation for and responding to more frequent natural disasters.
From 2023 - 2024, FEMA will serve as the first representative for the Department, after which representation will rotate to the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. FEMA will coordinate with other DHS components, such as the Science and Technology Directorate, United States Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Customs and Border Protection throughout its term.
As DHS’s first representative, FEMA will have the opportunity to influence and provide input on climate change research that will allow FEMA to better fulfill its mission and achieve FEMA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The plan outlines a bold vision and three ambitious goals designed to address key challenges, which includes leading communities in climate resilience.
The program was established by the Global Change Research Act of 1990. Its work is guided by a Congressionally-mandated 10-year strategic plan and they produce the quadrennial National Climate Assessment, which is the nation’s most authoritative source on climate change. The Fifth National Climate Assessment is expected toward the end of this year.
To learn more, visit USGCRP’s website.
To help people better understand the National Flood Insurance Program’s new methodology, FEMA published two videos in a series explaining rating variables and how they affect premiums.
The first of these new videos, Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: Rating Variables (Part 2) complements Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: Rating Variables (Part 1). The new video describes how a structure’s location and the way it is built impact a policyholder’s premium. It also explains why certain building decisions can affect the final rate determination.
The other new video, Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: What is Built and Covered, details the nuances of building and contents coverage.
The first section of What is Built and Covered is most helpful for policyholders and provides an overview of how their buildings’ structure type and contents determine their premiums. The second part helps agents understand what is built and covered and how to accurately input information for their clients’ applications.
Agents and property owners alike can now gain an even clearer understanding of the benefits and features of the NFIP’s pricing system through continued education on Risk Rating 2.0.
Watch the entire series in order by visiting the links below:
- Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: FEMA’s New Rating Methodology.
- Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: Rating Variables (Part 1).
- Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: Rating Variables (Part 2).
- Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action: What is Built and Covered.
To learn more about Risk Rating 2.0, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA is seeking public feedback on nine Hazard Mitigation resource typing documents. These resource typing documents include two National Incident Management System-typed Hazard Mitigation teams for operations and planning and seven positions that make up the teams. This 30-day national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on March 16.
These resource typing documents enhance the interoperability and effectiveness of mutual aid by establishing baseline qualifications for Hazard Mitigation National Incident Management System-typed teams and personnel. This facilitates the sharing of deployable resources at all jurisdictional levels.
National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft documents to ensure they are relevant to all implementing partners.
To provide comments on the draft documents, complete the feedback form and submit the form to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov no later than 5 p.m. ET on March 16.
Time is Running Out to Apply for Federal Coordinating Officers Positions
FEMA is hiring 10 Federal Coordinating Officers and the position announcement will close on Feb. 15 or when 300 applications are received. The ideal candidate for this position is an effective communicator with experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders and coordinating disaster response and recovery. If you or someone you know is interested, visit USAJobs.gov.
FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Myra Shird detailed what it’s like to be an FCO. Visit FEMA’s YouTube page to check out her reasons for becoming a leader in emergency management.
Federal Coordinating Officers are the lead federal representatives during disasters. They coordinate the flow of disaster resources and information that bring together federal, state, tribal and territorial partners to help survivors recover from disasters. The application period is open to join this highly qualified group of professionals the President calls on to lead disaster response and recovery.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
FEMA Seeks Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council
FEMA is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council. The online application process is open, and students must complete their applications by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 6.
If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply. To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council, visit FEMA.gov.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Webinars on ‘Buy America’ Preferences for FEMA Grant Programs
FEMA is offering a series of one-hour briefings for all recipients and subrecipients under awards for 23 FEMA grant programs. These programs are now subject on the domestic preference requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act. The briefings will also cover best practices for documenting compliance.
Most disaster financial assistance programs are not subject to requirements. For a list of FEMA financial assistance programs not subject to the requirements please visit FEMA.gov
Frequently Asked Questions, additional guidance, webinar information, resources and contact information can be found on FEMA’s “Buy America” webpage.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
FEMA is Accepting Revolving Loan Fund Applications
FEMA is accepting applications to the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program. Loans will be available to help local governments satisfy non-federal cost share requirements under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, update building codes adoption, and enforcement and make zoning and land use changes.
The program has been expanded to give insular areas the same eligibility to apply as states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As defined by the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, insular areas are American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands.
The funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET on April. 28.
Visit FEMA.gov for more information.
|
